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71 Central St. Stoneham, MA 02180

Browsing Pastor's Notes

Communal Penance of Fasting and Prayer

Dear Church,

In response to the evil, “the smoke of Satan”, which has entered the Church as evidenced by the horrific abuse of children and adults by priests, bishops, and Cardinals and the apparent “cover-up” of these sins by Church Leadership I have asked Father Frank, Father Liias, Deacon Frank, Deacon Chuck, Deacon Joe and Deacon Bob to join me as we undertake a communal penance of prayer and fasting over the course of the next four months beginning on September 8, 2018 (the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) to December 8, 2018 (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary) so that reparation may bring God's healing to the Mystical Body of Christ, to all the victims of abuse, and to the harm inflicted upon the Church. Every Saturday we will commit ourselves to fasting, praying the Rosary and a Holy Hour. No matter where we may be, we will be united at the same time in prayer. We must be empowered to fight our “powerlessness” by our decision to do SOMETHING not just talk about procedures, policies, and feelings! Sure, on its face it may seem like just a small thing to do in the midst of everything we are going through; however, we your clergy, shall have the faith of a mustard seed that will move mountains!

At the same time, I want to thank each one of you for your incredible faith over the many years this parish has encountered that very same evil and sin... Over those years YOU have never left Jesus because of Judas...thank you, thank you, thank you! Your faith inspires us, your priests and deacons to continue to remain faithful to our vows, to our reception of the Sacrament of Holy Orders and to remain faithful in our love and devotion to Jesus Christ and his people.

~ Fr. Mario